Video settings

Caroline Wilson dissects Andrew Demetriou's AFL legacy

Although Andrew Demetriou's decision to resign from one of the most "powerful jobs in Australian sport" was not a surprise, the timing of the announcement was, says chief football writer Caroline Wilson.

Andrew Demetriou's reign as AFL supremo will end after the 2014 season.

Advertisement

Mike Fitzpatrick, Chairman of the AFL Commission, announced Demetriou's resignation at a press conference which began at 10am at AFL House.

Fitzpatrick said that Demetriou had been a "significant force in our competition" and had presided over "a period of extraordinary growth".

Andrew Demetriou with his family at AFL House. Photo: Penny Stephens

"For me, the real strength in Andrew's leadership hasn't been in stadia, he has been the conscience of the game, promoting the importance of women .. multi-cultural aspects ... he has put fans and players first.

"Andrew has been the first in Australia sport - after the racing industry - to deliver an integrity unit.

"In summary, Andrew has been one of the most influential CEOs in our history," Fitzpatrick said.

On the way out... AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou announcing that he will step down from the role later in the year. Photo: Penny Stephens

Andrew says Meatloaf would be up there as one of the decisions that perhaps could have been better.

Demetriou said that he had told the AFL Commission of his decision at a meeting on the 17th of February. He said it had been a "privilege and an honour" to serve the game, but the league "needs renewal, needs a fresh set of eyes".

AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou resigns

He paid credit to his mentors and compatriots at the league and quoted the words of former AFL administrator Jill Lindsay - on her deathbed - to look after Australian Rules Football because "the game meant to much to so many people".

Demetriou gave his deputy Gillon McLachlan, a frontrunner to replace him, a big wrap, saying, "I couldn't ask or someone more loyal, more committed, more supportive".

He said that he left the game with no regrets.

After a long list of thank-yous - including to the media and AFL fans, Demetriou became emotional.

"The AFL industry is like a family ... great people, great game...

Andrew Demetriou the player.

"I worked out the other day that I have spent half my life in football ... 26 years out of my 52."

He said that he and his wife had agreed that they would not let the job take too much toll on their family.

"Symone and and my children have been my sunshine, my life and my hope," he said.

Asked if the Essendon supplements scandal would overshadow his legacy, Demetriou was hopeful that "people won't take a snapshot of one particular point of time ... that's for others to judge".

He said he was "pretty proud" of how the AFL handled the Essendon crisis last year, saying that the league had bolstered its integrity unit and changed rules in response and was now "well-equipped to handles issues going forward".

"We (Demetriou and Fitzpatrick) were both concerned about sport science a couple of years ago," he said.

"Whether we could’ve acted earlier ... we just weren’t in a position there. There was enough hearsay to have us worried.

"The AFL has done all it can do in this situation. I’m proud of how we acted last year.

"What happens thereafter is in (anti-doping agency) ASADA’s hands."

Fitzpatrick said that he had been discussing the transition of the CEO role since 2012. The AFL has retained a search firm to find a new CEO and Demetriou will have no role in appointing his successor.

Demetriou said he considers the introduction of the two expansion teams, and the return of football to the revamped Adelaide Oval as two of the great achievements of his decade at the top.

Commentator Anthony Hudson says the timing of the announcement, less than two weeks before the start of the season, was "extraordinary". The season launch takes place in Adelaide on Wednesday night. However, as Jon Pierik reported in late January, many in the AFL industry expected 2014 would be Demetriou's last at the AFL.

Pierik reported: "Demetriou did not deny in August that he had been head-hunted by the Association of Tennis Professionals, which at the time was searching for an executive chairman and president. He said he had no intention of leaving but admitted: 'I get lots of approaches.'"

"He's made the AFL a better competition and a better game in the whole of Australia, that's his legacy," Sheedy said on Monday.

"He's been a person that's changed the game as an administrator, there's no doubt about that.

"He put the AFL ahead of all other sports and not just - by a mile.

"And he made other organisations, along with the AFL Commission, put everybody under pressure."

Demetriou has been AFL CEO since 2003, presiding over a period of prosperity for the league, as its revenue from TV deals went to unsurpassed heights. He has overseen the expansion of the competition to 18 teams, with the introduction of the Gold Coast Suns and the Greater Western Sydney Giants.

However, his handling of the Essendon supplements scandal over the past year has been heavily criticised. At the weekend, News Limited published the names of Essendon players who may be facing ASADA sanctions. Hudson said that Demetriou "would have liked this whole thing (Essendon) sorted out before he left".

Issues facing the league currently include the implementation of "equalisation" measures designed to assist financially challenged clubs, and negotiations for the league to buy Etihad Stadium.

Born 14 April, 1961, the son of Cypriot immigrants in Melbourne. Married to Symone and the father of four children.

1981 - Recruited by North Melbourne from Pascoe Vale, Demetriou played 103 games for the Kangaroos over seven seasons, producing his best as a wingman

1987 - A career in business begins, as managing director of Dentex, an importer of dental products

1988 - Transfers to Hawthorn adding a further three games and one goal before retiring, for a career total 106 games and 48 goals

1995 - Spending his post-football career with Dentex, Demetriou becomes managing director of the Ruthinium Group after Dentex purchases its parent company

1998 - Takes first major role in football as chief executive officer of the AFL Players Association (AFLPA). While at AFLPA he achieves 100 per cent player membership of AFLPA and handles negotiations on players’ collective agreement which results in a bumper pay rise for players

2000 - Moves to the AFL as general manager of football operations

2003 - Appointed as chief executive officer of the AFL, replacing Wayne Jackson

2013 - AFL plays its first regular season game outside Australia, with St Kilda playing Sydney on Anzac Day in Wellington, New Zealand

2014 - Announces intention to stand down as chief executive at the end of the 2014 season

- with AAP

148 comments

Has Geoff. Kennett enough time to write another article angling for the job?

Commenter

the elder

Location

Melb

Date and time

March 03, 2014, 9:46AM

He picked all the low fruit with TV and Web rights. Drovers dog could have run the AFL over this period.

Commenter

BBJ

Date and time

March 03, 2014, 10:08AM

One would hope not - the elder

Commenter

Faye

Location

Box Hill

Date and time

March 03, 2014, 10:25AM

This is true, the increase in TV revenues was not his doing rather the result of an arms race between the networks. Either way Mickey mouse would have negotiated a better deal that would have looked after rural and grass roots fans a bit better. Good riddance I say - A great day for the AFL.

Commenter

Elijah Baley

Location

Melbourne

Date and time

March 03, 2014, 11:51AM

I heard Channel 7 are angling for Schapelle Corby to get the job.........

Commenter

Rob

Date and time

March 03, 2014, 12:09PM

At age 66, I wouldn't think Jeff would be remotely interested in taking such a position; he said as much on 3AW this morning. Nor would the AFL ever entertain this idea.

Commenter

Melbourne

Date and time

March 03, 2014, 12:22PM

Just on the poll. Brian Cunningham who missed out to Adrian Anderson would be worth a look. 2IC rather than the CEO.

Commenter

Rod

Location

Outer SA

Date and time

March 03, 2014, 2:39PM

Good riddance, its clear his time at the top had to end, hopefully integrity will return to the board !

The lies, the cover ups, scandals galore, Mr Demetriou you delivered in spades when your meek game couldnt !!

Commenter

STeve

Location

Pyrmont

Date and time

March 03, 2014, 9:52AM

Steve, it looks like the meek are inheriting the earth. (Or at least total dominance in the Australian sports market.) And you can thank AD for that.

Related Coverage

3 Mar
Although Andrew Demetriou's decision to resign from one of the most "powerful jobs in Australian sport" was not a surprise, the timing of the announcement was, says chief football writer Caroline Wilson.

3 Mar
The AFL players' union has bitterly condemned the identification of present and former Essendon players who are alleged to have admitted telling investigators they had been injected with peptides.